In response to a request by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) that BAE Systems “further explains and justifies its decision to close Filton Airfield”, the defence company has now published a detailed report that will be considered by the council when it revises its draft Core Strategy later this year.
The report, entitled “Filton Airfield Aviation Options Report” can be viewed on a new website called Developing Filton Airfield that has been set up by BAE Systems to “show the steps we’ve taken to consider, consult and pursue alternatives [to the closure]”.
A message on the Introduction page of the new website explains:
“We want to show that the decision to close is one we’ve taken responsibly, having exhausted all the other options available to us. We also want to show how our plans for the future will give Filton greater benefits than those currently offered by the runway.”
The airfield closure issue will also be discussed this evening at a meeting of SGC’s Full Council [agenda].
Councillor Ian Scott (Filton) will question whether SGC has the internal expertise to evaluate BAE Systems’ Filton Airfield Aviation Options Report.
Later in the meeting Cllr Scott will propose a motion that the council:
“… resolves to throw its support behind the efforts to retain the airfield and defend engineering jobs into the future. Council commits not to proceed with policies or actions that would facilitate development on the airfield.”
The Save Filton Airfield campaign group is also expected to make a statement to this evening’s council meeting. The group says it will highlight that the airfield has a profitable future and state that BAE Systems’ claims that the airfield cannot make an operating profit are questionable.
SGC’s current round of consultation on the future of the Filton Airfield site comes to an end on Monday (24th October).
Related link: Filton Airport Closure information page (The Post)
If BAE Systems think it run a a loss for years can I have the £1.3m profit it made last year.